I will concede up front that I view Buju Banton as a nasty homophobe - he continues to perform songs with anti-gay lyrics and words describing the murder of gays despite numerous opportunities to disavow the brutality and homophobia in his songs. Seems now that Banton is a nasty piece of work in other ways too as he cools his heels in jail on drug conspiracy charges. Seriously, it could not happen to someone any less vile. Recently, while on Heresay with Cathy Lewis, a caller who I suspect was black could not grasp why the gay community so dislikes Banton. I refrained from asking how he'd like performers singing about murdering blacks, but there really is no difference in the toxicity of such lyrics. Here are some highlights from the Miami Herald on Banton's arrest:*
Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star whose anti-gay lyrics have drawn international criticism, is in a federal lockup in Miami, facing drug conspiracy charges. Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine.
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His song Boom Bye Bye, a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. As late as September, Banton's local management told The Miami Herald that the criticism of the star was unwarranted because he had stopped singing the song years ago. The song remains a hit among reggae DJs.
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Still, such lyrics have made Banton one of the more controversial reggae artists, with angry gay activists this fall forcing the cancellation of a string of concerts by the artists during a U.S. tour that included a Halloween night concert in Miami.
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Recently the firestorm ratched up after the Grammys announced that Banton's album Rasta Got Soul, released earlier this year, was up for an award. Gay Men of African Descent and the National Black Justice Coalition joined with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in a petition drive protesting the nomination.
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Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae star whose anti-gay lyrics have drawn international criticism, is in a federal lockup in Miami, facing drug conspiracy charges. Drug Enforcement Administration agents say Banton, real name Mark Anthony Myrie, has been in custody since Thursday and will soon be transferred to Tampa, where the U.S. Attorney is charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilos of cocaine.
*
His song Boom Bye Bye, a dancehall hit released in the 1990s, advocates shooting gays in the head and setting them on fire. As late as September, Banton's local management told The Miami Herald that the criticism of the star was unwarranted because he had stopped singing the song years ago. The song remains a hit among reggae DJs.
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Still, such lyrics have made Banton one of the more controversial reggae artists, with angry gay activists this fall forcing the cancellation of a string of concerts by the artists during a U.S. tour that included a Halloween night concert in Miami.
*
Recently the firestorm ratched up after the Grammys announced that Banton's album Rasta Got Soul, released earlier this year, was up for an award. Gay Men of African Descent and the National Black Justice Coalition joined with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in a petition drive protesting the nomination.
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Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Banton afforded a lengthy stay in federal facilities. The man is obviously not a good influence and it would be nice if this episode seals the deal on him NOT winning a grammy. His nomination is comparable to nominating a singer who sings about killing Jews and denying the Holocaust. It is disgusting.
1 comment:
It should be noted that his homophobia has nothing to do with his arrest...on the other hand, karma is bitch, isn't it?
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